Elder Kenrith Plummer

On the Christian calendar, Lent is the 40 day period that immediately precedes Easter. It is meant to be a time of reflection and contemplation that is customarily marked by periods of fasting and prayer. This includes reflecting on the life of Jesus Christ with the focus on His suffering, sacrifice, death, resurrection. This is in contrast with Advent, which has the underpinnings of His entrance into this world, and is therefore the period of time that maintains the focus on the presentation of The Christ.  Advent is brimming with Joy, Peace, Love and Hope, Lent looks at the period that leads to His crucifixion.

As I introduced this thought on Lent, it does seem to engender thoughts and feelings that are more aligned with a somber tone and for the most part that is what takes place. The true heart of this whole time for one who is washed in the blood of Christ should really be one of exuberance.

Yes, the truth of Lent and Easter is a stark reminder that we were once in rebellion to the High King, The Lord Most High and this necessitated Him taking the form of a human to come and pay the price of our redemption by His suffering and dying a gruesome filthy death. And, yes, we know, and are reminded, and do find some solace through the victory that comes in His resurrection; I posit however, that this focus alone is not the only source of joy and solace at this time.

I want us to be reminded and have another thought of contemplation during this time. While we contemplate the weightiness of our sin and the cost of redemption, we should in that moment also ponder the reality that all of this reminds us of why He is the High King of Heaven and why HE WILL and can  NEVER BE DEFEATED!!!

Ephesians 1:3-10 (and in reality the whole chapter/book), lets us know that this was God’s plan “before the creation of the world…” He chose us and appointed us to be adopted into His family before this planet even existed!! Before Lucifer even fell, Jehovah, The High King of Heaven declared this would happen and even though sin entered and tried to mess with His plans HE is still AWESOME and POWERFUL enough to bring it about and to include us in it.

There are 2 significant conclusions to draw from this:

1. HE is God. Isaiah 43:10-13 (*11); He alone declares the end from the beginning. HE WILL DO WHAT HE WANTS
2. Whatever I can or will ever do, HE has already accounted for that and still chose me and loves me! Say that to yourself!

So, while I ponder and become acutely aware of my failures, faults and sin, I do not let that stop me. I bring that to HIM and let Him wash that in His blood. While the devil would want to remind me of my failures, if I bring those and lay them before the Father, The High King of Heaven, He covers them in His blood and lifts me into His beloved. For this I celebrate. Lent reminds me that when He acts, there is none to stop it nor anyone’s permission is requested and HE CHOSE ME & YOU!!!